 |
| Elementary School - February 2010
|
|
|
 |
|
|
THE PRINCIPAL’S PERSPECTIVE…
From the desk of Mr. Karatas
It is hard to believe that we already have a whole semester behind us and we are advancing rapidly toward completion of another successful academic year. On behalf of Sonoran Science Academy administration, it gives me particular pleasure to ensure all of our stakeholders that we are committed to continue to work hard in our genuine efforts in providing the state of the art, high quality education to our children. We thank you for all you do to support our school every day!
Regrettably, due to an unexpected family emergency, we had to say goodbye to Mr. Adak, Principal of SSA-Elementary. We empathize with Mr. Adak's decision and will miss him a great deal. Mr. Adak along with his team of dedicated teachers, parents and students worked to raise the bar of educational excellence at the elementary school. We thank Mr. Adak for his dedicated service and invaluable contributions as we wish him the best in his future endeavors.
Per our Central Office's appointment (Daisy Education Corporation), I will be the principal of K-12 campus overseeing both elementary and middle/high schools. I am excited to work with the talented and passionate faculty of SSA elementary as I look forward to working with you - our proud SSA parents!!!
Ms. Lisa will continue to work as a Vice Principal of SSA-Elementary (K-5) campus and will be in charge of overall management and daily operations. Ms. Lisa has been with SSA since 2007 and prior to our move to our new campus. She is therefore, an integral part of SSA, who truly understands the SSA model and culture. An administrative academic team consisting of Ms. Leyla and Ms. Shannon will continue to oversee and support school (K-5) academics and student academic progress. Our front office fairies - Ms. Lorka and Ms. Rage - will continue to make wonders every day by keeping our school run smooth and safe. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Communication plays a huge role in the partnership between the school and parents. I send out emails to parents every Tuesday and Thursday. If you are not receiving these emails and would like to, please stop by the Front Office to give us your current email.
In January we had the Museum on Wheels present an in-school field trip presentation to our 5th graders. The students learned about Benjamin Franklin and his inventiveness as well as how the first printers were invented and used. This month the 2nd graders will enjoy a trip to the TCC to see a presentation on Bodyology where students will learn about human anatomy and physiology in an unique and memorable way and the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will tour the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. Field trips are an essential part of the enriching the education that students enjoy at SSA Elementary.
Standardized testing is just around the corner. We have started working with students on test strategy skills and will continue to reinforce skills and concepts. Assessments will take place in mid-April. Students in grades 2-5 will participate in the state-mandated testing. In addition, students recently began the MAP assessment which will assist teachers in monitoring their academic progress.
The next few months are riddled with activities and competitions. Students are participating in a school wide science fair and winners will be entered in the Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair (SARSEF). February 24th is our Family Literacy Night, the dance club will be performing in late February, the Final Frontiers Club will be traveling to San Diego and February 25-26 will give us all a much needed break for Rodeo weekend. Looking further ahead, I am very happy to tell you that the trip many of you have been asking about is now scheduled for the first week of June. Yes, SSA’s Trip to Turkey will be led by Mr. Hakan. This trip will provide a unique opportunity to explore another part of the world and experience other cultures. Please contact Mr. Hakan at hdurmaz@sonoranacademy.org and see the flier in the newsletter if you are interested and want to learn more.
SSA highly values team spirit and collaboration. We are all teammates and proud to be a part of SSA family. Let's have a great academic 2010 year!
My door is always open,
Mr. Karatas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Elementary School April-2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRINCIPAL’S PERSPECTIVE
From the desk of Mr. Adak
I would like to take time to thank all my dedicated teachers, parents and staff for your help in motivating our students to do their very best. As mentioned in previous newsletters, we are conducting AIMS and Terra Nova testing this month. Please be sure to bring your child to school on time, nourished and well-rested.
March was a great month for the SSA Elementary family as we enjoyed beautiful weather during our Spring Break. We have mailed all report cards during the break and if you have any questions regarding your child’s grades, please email or speak to your child’s teacher.
It was great having the parents come for Parent/Teacher Conferences. If you were unable to participate, please send an email to your child’s teacher and they will do their best to accommodate your schedule.
Last month, we had our second Open House. With our beautiful campus and dedicated teachers, we had a large response from the public. We have waiting lists, but are still accepting applications for enrollment. Our next Open House will be April 18th from 10 am to 1 pm. We experienced a 99% re-enrollment rate for next year, however we understand that family situations are in flux. Please let us know in the Front Office as soon as possible if your enrollment status changes.
We had a great turnout for our Art/Science Exhibit in the MS/HS gym. Congrats to our SARSEF winners, Amber Fox, Dezrielle Miranda, Noah Hedgepeth , Malcolm Williams, William Rockwell, Moira Schein and Logan Oliver. Congratulations also to our dear Ms. Nicholson, the 5th grade Science Teacher. She was named the “Top Elementary Teacher” for SARSEF this year.
In March we had our Anatolian Festival at the MS/HS gymnasium. It was an evening of food, dance and song celebrating the culture of the Anatolian region. There were more than 200 guests including performers, parents and teachers from our sister school, SSA Broadway. We were able to showcase some of the performances that won awards at the Turkish Language and Arts Competition in California.
Each month our school covers the pillars of character development. August was the month of Gratitude at our school, but this month seems fitting to extend our gratitude to all the parents who have taken time from their busy lives to volunteer at our school. We will have a Parent Volunteer Breakfast on April 24th at the MS/HS. Look for further details on our turnaround sign. Please join me there where we can enjoy a delicious breakfast and review this year’s accomplishments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Elementary School March-2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRINCIPAL’S PERSPECTIVE
From the desk of Mr. Adak
Spring is here and the cold winter days are behind us! Hopefully you had a chance to enjoy the Tucson Rodeo over our break. We are nearly three quarters of the way through our journey through this academic year. This time is crucial for testing. As mentioned in our last newsletter, April 1st through 8th will be AIMS and Terra Nova testing for grades 2-5. Please make sure that you bring your child to school on time everyday. During this timeframe it is particularly important since students will not be allowed to enter the classroom once testing has begun. Attendance is really important also since makeup testing is required for those who miss the testing dates. Thank you in advance for making sure that your children are well-rested, nourished and ready to do their best!
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be March 25th and 26th of this month. Communication between Parent and Teacher is critical to a successful partnership. I strongly encourage you to participate in these conferences. At the end of the month you will be mailed your child’s third quarter report card. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions.
We had some great field trips in February. The 4th and 5th graders were able to go to the Tucson Convention Center to experience the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. I believe that this field trip opened the eyes of our students the beauty and wonder of geology. We also had Tucson Clean and Beautiful visit the Kindergarten through 3rd graders to promote recycling. Our Dance club and Turkish Club students participated in a competition in California. Thanks to the parents who purchased baked goods at our Bake Sale to help with the funding of this trip. All participants did a phenomenal job. Congratulations to Arianna Boren in the singing competition and David Bressler for poetry; both won 1st place! In honor of Black History month, the 5th graders had an in-school field trip with a visit by a Buffalo Soldier. He came in uniform to speak of the role that these important Americans played in the Civil War.
Sonoran Science Academy Elementary is known throughout the state and even nationally for our student’s math and science skills. But did you know that our students are gifted in other areas as well? On March 7th you’ll be able to enjoy a Science/Art exhibit at the MS/HS gym from 2-5:00 pm. SSA Elementary art teacher, Ms. Hanson has been doing great work with our students. All SSA Elementary Science Fair projects along with a sampling of Art work will be exhibited. Remember last month we had a special focus on Language Arts by hosting a Family Reading Night. It was a pleasure to see the authors, dancers, storytellers all share their love of reading and writing. A sincere thank you to Charmaine Thomas, SSA Elementary Rockin’ Readers Club Coordinator, for making this special event a reality for our families.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Middle/High School - March 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE PRINCIPAL’S PERSPECTIVE…
From the desk of Mr. Karatas
I recently attended a function where I met Tucson mayor, Bob Walkup. I have to say, I was somewhat surprised that he had not heard of Sonoran Science Academy, and really didn’t know anything about our school. This was a great reminder to me that, despite our successful academic model and frequent press exposure, it takes continual commitment, on our part, to ensure that we are an integral part of our community.
As a charter school, our families come from all areas of Tucson and the surrounding communities. Consequently, although we have an incredibly strong community culture within our school, we are not the center of our neighborhood.
When we were growing up, our schools were often the only place in the neighborhood with a room big enough for social events, and events like Spring Carnival and Homecoming were enjoyed by the entire community, not just those with school-age children.
I took time to invite Mayor Walkup to visit our school; I hope you will also take time to invite your neighbors, with or without children, to a school event . We certainly have enough activities planned between now and the end of the year!
There are a couple of important announcements I wish to make you aware of this month. Firstly, effective Wednesday, March 3rd, students who wish to recite the Pledge of Allegiance may meet in the Library, at 8:05 each morning, where Mrs. Norris will lead them.
SSA is going green! Consequently, if you have an e-mail address on file with us, this will be the last newsletter you receive by mail. You will be informed, via e-mail, when a new newsletter is available online. The newsletter, including past editions, is always available on the website. If you do not have access to the internet, please return the form below to the office. This will ensure that you receive a copy through the mail.
Although many of the articles in the newsletter repeat information that you have already received in my bi-weekly e-mails, the articles are often in more detail and are frequently accompanied by photographs. The newsletter is also the vehicle for administration reminders to parents, as well as Parent Association communications, and lunch forms, etc., making it a vital tool in the communication partnership we share.
Another vital communication tool is the Parent-Teacher Conference. Conferences are scheduled for right after Spring Break, on March 24th and 25th, from 5-7 p.m. Teachers will post sign-up sheets on their door. Please contact any teacher you wish to meet with regarding student performance.
February was another stellar month here at SSA; all of our successes are featured in this newsletter, but I want to take a moment to personally thank our Science Department for a wonderful Discovery Night on Thursday, February 18th. It was fabulous to be able to share all of the amazing Science Fair projects with the SSA community!
In a couple of weeks it will be Spring Break; I hope that everyone will get a chance to rest and relax before we head into the last quarter and finals. Finals account for 20% of the final grade in a subject, so it is important that students study appropriately.
Although my schedule is full, I have to say I have enjoyed my first month as Principal of our K-12 campus. It is said that a successful person surrounds themselves with capable people; Mrs. Lindskog, Mr. Achilov, and Mr. Connell are evidence of this, and we all remain committed to ensuring any student who wants to learn is given the opportunity to do so at SSA.
Mr. Karatas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Middle/High School - February 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE PRINCIPAL’S PERSPECTIVE…
From the desk of Mr. Karatas
Our first month back at school has seen some significant changes to our administration structure. Due to a family emergency, Mr. Adak has had to leave SSA. We understand how difficult this decision was for Mr. Adak. He began his SSA tenure as Principal of the elementary school when we were still at the Ina Road location and was an integral part of the successful move. Indeed his commitment to the elementary school has left an indelible legacy. We all understand that our families are the most important people in our lives, and we wish Mr. Adak and his family well.
This unforeseen circumstance did, however, give the District Office the opportunity to effect a change in our administration structure, a change that reflects our belief of school as a community. The district has appointed me as Principal of our K-12 campus. Alissa Tanner has been appointed as Elementary Vice Principal while Jessica Lindskog rejoins our campus as Middle and High School Vice Principal, where she will be the administrator parents and students will see for any academic concerns. Mr. Connell will continue as Dean of Students for non-academic matters. This change allows Mr. Achilov to provide full-time College Counseling services to all high school students and parents. Consequently, Crissie Rowley, who had been working part-time in this regard has now joined the SSA team as my Administrative Assistant and Community Liaison.
We understand that, while we transition into these new roles, you may have some concerns. I assure you that all of the administration team members, our District staff, our Board Members, and our faculty are working cooperatively and putting in extra hours to ensure that this transition is smooth, and results in an enhanced learning environment for our students. I will divide my time between both campuses and will be interacting daily with all of my Administration team, who are not only knowledgeable, but also vested in our SSA community and heritage.
Of course, Mr. Adak has also been an invaluable asset and support during this transition process. I would like to thank Mr. Adak for his years of outstanding service to SSA. I know he will be missed by everyone.
Progress reports will be mailed in mid-February. Please be sure to review the progress reports with your child. Homework is an important part of the learning process and can affect students’ grades greatly. Being sure your child stays current on homework assignments, projects, and reading is an essential task this time of year especially as a student’s afterschool life becomes hectic with an increase in extra-curricular activities. Please ensure both you and your student are familiar with our promotion policies and graduation requirements. If there are concerns, please speak with teachers and take advantage of our unique, free tutoring in all subjects.
Although you will find information elsewhere in this newsletter, I wanted to congratulate the Social Science Department on the success of their students in the Patriot’s Pen Contest, particularly the State Winner, Kathleen Jackson. Our Math Department also helped to fill our trophy cases with their success at the AMC8 competition. Congratulations to these students and also to Mr. Bahar who, once again, was recognized by Math Counts for his inspirational coaching.
Although February is a short month, it is always packed with activities and competitions. The Southern Arizona Acting Festival will be held on February 6th, Spring Pictures will be on February 10th, College Prep 101 for parents will hold two workshops on February 9th and 11th, and the elementary-sponsored Family Reading Night will give us all a chance to curl up with a good book on February 24th. An exciting addition to our calendar is Discovery Night, which will take place on February 18th, during the Science Fair. SSA is also collecting items for Haiti. More information can be found about this in this newsletter. AIMS testing for High School students will take place on February 23rd and 24th. Rodeo Break on February 25-26 will give everyone much needed rest from a busy month.
With so many wonderful activities scheduled, this is a great time to host our first Open House on February 6th, from 10:00-1:00pm. If you know of any family interested in checking out SSA for possible enrollment for the next school year, let them know the day and time. Our best advertising is our parents! Please spread the word. Without the tremendous dedication of our parents and faculty to the ideal of superior education, we would never accomplish what we always manage to do each school year.
With our second semester underway and recently passing our 100th day of school, there are only four short months left of this school year. Thank you to everyone who have done an excellent job getting back into the fast pace of academic life after the Winter Break.
My door is always open.
Mr. Karatas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Middle/High School - January 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE PRINCIPAL’S PERSPECTIVE…
From the desk of Mr. Karatas
On behalf of the students and staff of Sonoran Science Academy-Tucson, I extend my appreciation to you for assisting our school through the Arizona School Tax Credit. Your contributions benefit students in extra-curricular programs. It has always been a tradition at Sonoran Science Academy-Tucson to offer afterschool clubs, and tutoring. In order for us not to charge a fee for these programs we rely heavily on tax credit donations. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the children at SSA. Thank you also to our wonderful staff who volunteered to provide incentives to our students, encouraging them to spread the word about the importance of Tax Credit dollars to our school. As we return from Winter Break, Ms. Dana will be collating donations received over the break before we can announce a final total. I realize 2009 was a difficult year for many people; if you were able to donate, you have my thanks. For those who weren’t in a position to donate, I hope 2010 brings a better opportunity for all of us.
Of course, Tax Credit donations are critical to SSA as they allow us to provide myriad, diverse activities; however, none of these activities would be possible without the commitment of our faculty to these programs. I would like to thank the entire faculty for the amazing number of special events held during the first semester. Sleepovers, competitions, performances, field trips, and so much more have resulted in our faculty logging more than 1200 hours of club meetings and tutoring. Extracurricular activities like these enhance and compliment the classroom curriculum and result in higher test scores. Colleges also look at extracurricular activities for enrollment. It is a win-win situation.
You should have received first semester grades over the break. Students who are failing in any class must schedule a conference with their teacher and complete an academic plan for improvement. Parents are encouraged to participate in this conference. Please review the requirements for Middle School promotion and High School graduation in the student handbook, which can be found on our website. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Achilov, Vice-Principal of Academics, at 665-3400.
Also, I remind you that all 6th grade students will begin Turkish second semester. This is to prepare them to make an informed foreign language choice next year.
The beginning of the second semester is also the time for re-enrollment. Re-enrollment forms for current students can be found in this newsletter. The deadline for re-enrollment is January 15th; please submit these to the front office as soon as possible. We cannot guarantee 2010 – 2011 enrollment for current students unless a re-enrollment form is received by the deadline. SSA had waiting lists in all grade levels last year and, as SSA has received state and national attention in recent months, we anticipate waiting lists again this year, so please return your forms as soon as possible. And, if you have a friend who is interested in having their student attend SSA, please ensure they have our Open House schedule, with Open Houses planned for February 6th, March 6th, and April 17th.
As we headed into Winter Break, our MathLeague team placed first in the regional competition at the University of Arizona and our First Lego League team also placed first in their competition. SSA then learned it had been awarded a Silver Medal by US News and World Report. I would like to thank all of the parents, students, and teachers for making the Silver Medal possible, recognizing SSA as one of the best high schools in the nation. This award is a tribute to the dedication of everyone here at Sonoran Science Academy and I personally feel privileged to be involved with people who are so dedicated to academic achievement.
It is with great pride in our school community that I look forward with you to a spectacular 2010.
Sincerely,
Mr. Karatas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Middle/High School - December 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE PRINCIPAL’S PERSPECTIVE
From the desk of Mr. Karatas
At this time of year it seems like each month gets busier and busier at SSA, this is certainly the case. November was bursting with programs and successes, and our calendar is already full of activities for December and January.
SSA showed its sporting side as our Middle School Volleyball Team won their first championship and volleyball was also the sport of choice for our alumni, who played until late into the night at our first Alumni Thanksgiving Dinner. This event, organized by Mr. Bahar, was the inaugural activity for our Alumni Association. It gives us great pleasure to stay in contact with our graduates, and reflects our belief that SSA is a family.
Eileen Sigmund, the President of Arizona Charter School Association, also visited SSA during November. She made wonderful comments about our school and it was rewarding to know that all of the hard work that everyone contributes, on a daily basis at SSA, has resulted in our public recognition.
Our second Annual Patriotic Assembly took place on November 6th, with representatives from many branches of service and the VFW Color Guard in attendance. Once again, Mrs. Norris crafted an assembly that was very moving, providing an opportunity for SSA students to express their support for our military and to reflect on their experiences.
SSA Drama’s avant-garde production of a Midsummer Night’s Dream took center stage and our breath away last month. Ms. Votroubek has really taken Drama at SSA to a whole new level. Congratulations to her and all the drama club members.
Progress reports for the 2nd quarter were recently mailed to parents. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s grade, please contact Mr. Achilov at 665-3400, X211, or contact the Front Office to make an appointment. The communication partnership between home and school enable us to help your student excel.
Finals schedules are posted in this newsletter. Finals will be held on December 16th, 17th, and 18th. Finals account for 20% of a semester grade, so doing well in these tests is vitally important to a student’s overall success in a class. Exam days are half days to allow students the maximum time to revise for their subjects. If your student has only one exam on a particular day, they should only be on campus for that exam. Please plan your day accordingly to be able to drop off and pick up your student.
Re-enrollment forms for current students are available in this newsletter. The deadline for re-enrollment is Jan 15th, but I encourage you to submit your forms to the Front Office as soon as possible.
Prospective Student Enrollment is also now open. Please refer any interested families to the Open Houses which will be on February 6th, March 6th, and April 17th from 10:00 — 1:00 p.m., or they may contact the front office for more information. As SSA had waiting lists in all grades last year, we encourage interested families to contact us as soon as possible. Prospective students can take math placement tests on February 13th, March 13th, or April 24th between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Finally, you have probably heard or read that the SSA faculty and staff have volunteered to be shaved, painted, duct-taped, dunked, and otherwise good-naturedly embarrassed all in the cause of precious Tax Credit contributions. We hope our Annual Investment, Daily Impact slogan speaks volumes. These funds are always vital to our extra-curricular programs, but never more so than this year. It costs you nothing but gives our students priceless opportunities. More information is enclosed in this newsletter and the contribution form can be found on the back page.
I hope you will all find time to join us this Friday night for our first Holiday Bazaar, from 6-9 PM. 2009 has been an incredible year for SSA and I am confident that, with the continued support of parents, students and teachers, 2010 will be our best year yet. From my family to yours, Best Wishes for a joy-filled holiday and I look forward to starting the New Year, a new decade, with every member of the SSA family.
Mr. Karatas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|